Six Nigerian nationals are being extradited from South Africa to the United States to face charges over an alleged online romance scam that defrauded more than 100 American women of over $6 million.
The suspects, who were arrested in Cape Town in 2021, are accused of belonging to the Black Axe criminal network, which has been linked by international law enforcement agencies to cyber-enabled financial crimes, including romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams.
South African police said the six men were due to be handed over to officials from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Secret Service before being transported to the US.
According to the authorities, the suspects allegedly used sophisticated online relationships to gain the trust of their victims before defrauding them. Some of those targeted were reportedly pensioners and businesspeople.
The alleged scheme involved more than 100 women in the United States, with total losses estimated at over $6 million. The suspects are expected to face wire fraud and money laundering charges in the US.
South African police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the extradition was being coordinated through Interpol South Africa, with American law enforcement agencies taking custody of the suspects in Cape Town.
The extradition comes amid increased international efforts to dismantle West African organised crime groups involved in cyber-enabled financial crimes. Interpol recently reported an operation that resulted in 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects linked to various criminal networks.
In a related operation in Johannesburg, South African authorities arrested 39 people allegedly connected to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams targeting retirees in English-speaking countries. Police also seized about $2.67 million and froze more than 250 bank accounts.
The six Nigerians remain accused persons and will have the opportunity to defend themselves against the charges before the US courts. Their extradition highlights growing cooperation between African and American law enforcement agencies in tackling international cybercrime and financial fraud.
